Valve control mechanism



March 18, 1947.

T. F. VAN DENBERG El'AL 2,417,577

VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed larch 12, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS THU/7H! F. VAN DINBER5 Ann JOHN JELBT.

March 18, 1947- T. F. VAN DENBERG 51'). 2,417,577

VALVE CONTROL macrmmsu Filed March 12, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ. THO/1A6 F. VAN DL'NBERG 4410 JOHN BY Ma! @4 rron/v s Patented Mar-18,

VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM Thomas F. Van Denberg,

John Selby,

Cleveland, Ohio,

Cleveland Heights, and Euclid, Ohio, assignors to The Titan Valve and Manufacturing Company,

a corporation 01' Ohio Application March 12, 1945, Serial No. 582,336

8 Claims. (c1. 158117.1)

This invention relates to valve control mechanism, and more particularly to safety pilot valve mechanism, such as is used for controlling the flow of gas to the gas burner of a hot water heatena furnace or like device.

One object of the invention is to provide improved valve control mechanism including valve and seat members both of which are movable, the valve seating in the direction of gas flow, together with reset means for advancing said members to cocked position and for releasably maintaining the valve in open or operative position while permitting the seat to retire.

Still another object is to provide such control mechanism in which the maintaining means inchides a couple comprising cooperating mated permanent magnet and keeper members, together with means for advancing them into contacting and holding position, and condition responsive means for forcing them apart to release the valve, upon appropriate variation in the condition to which the valve mechanism is responsive.

Another object is to provide improved valve mechanism of this kind in which both the valve and its seat are independent of and form no part of the usual integral cross wall of the valve body which separates the supply and discharge chambers, which wall here serves merely as a guide for their motion to and fro.

Further objects of the invention in part are obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, which represent one of many suitable embodiments of the invention,-

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, showing the parts in the valve closed or off position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, illustrating the reset button pushed in to advance or cock the parts ready for production of maintaining effect;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, illustrating all parts in their final or valve open position; and

Fig. 4 is an end view from the left in Fig. 1.

While the invention may be employed for use in the control of various devices for producing heat, such as electric heaters, oil or gas burners employed in water heaters; furnaces or the like, for convenience, and in no sense of limitation, it has been illustrated as applied for use in the control of the gas supplied to the burner-of a domestic hot water heater. Such a burner is illustrated conventionally at I0. Adjacent to it is a pilot burner, shown conventionally at H, while adjacent to both the main and pilot burners,

and sensitive to the temperature of either or both thereof, is a suitable thermostatic or thermally sensitive device, such as the two-element thermostat l2, including relatively expansible and non-expansible members, such as the outer tube l3, made of brass, copper or other relatively expansible material, and within, which is located a rod It made of relatively non-expansible material such as Invar" or an equivalent therefor.

slides in an opening in a thimble 32 screwed into Relative motion of contraction and expansion is communicated to the control parts by a push rod I5, made of material similar ,to that of the tube, for the purpose of avoiding the effect of ambient temperature or variations therein, as will be readily understood.

The valve mechanism includes two valves, one i a main valve for controlling the supply of gas to the main burner, and the other a pilot valve for controlling the supply of gas to the pilot burner.

The valve mechanism comprises a hollow valve body l6 provided with supply and discharge chambers l1, l8, the latter communicating with the main burner ID by way ofa pipe l9 and the former being threaded at 20 for connection thereto of a pipe or conduit (not shown) coming from the gas supply source. Another pipe from said source may be connected to the valve body at 2| for supplying gas to a passage 22 by means of which it is conducted to the pilot burner H.

The supply and discharge chambers Il, l8,are separated by the usual wall 23, here shown as integral with the casing or body. The flow of gas from the supply to the discharge chamber is controlled by the relative positions of a main valve 24, of disc form, cooperating with a seat on the end of a cylindrical or cup-shaped seat member 25, which works back and forth in and is guided by the walls of an opening in the cross wall 23, the joint between member 24 and the cross wall 23 being maintained tight by a sealing ring 26, may be What is called an O ring made material. Member 25 is open at its valve seat end; its cylindrical wall is provided with several,

such as four, ports or openings 21 providing communication from the chamber 28 within the member 25 tothe discharge chamber i8; while the opposite end of said member is provided with a reduced threaded extension 29 screwed into the shank of a reset cap or button 30 normally biased outwardly or toward retracted position by a compression spring 3|. The shank of this button an opening in a wall of the valve casing, the joint between the button shank and thimble being maintained tight by an O ring 33 held in position A small lock washer 35 is usually in- 1 ber 39, an annular channel of which may be moved into and out of registration with the pilot valve supply channel 22, for controlling the flow of gas to the pilot burner, as will be readily understood. This pilot valve is a loose fit on the rod, with slight movement thereon, both laterally and longitudinally, in order that the valve may be self-adjustin to the seat surface in or along which it slides. The relative motion between the valve and rod, however, indeed is so little as to be almost imperceptible-just enough to provide self-accommodation and nothing more, so that from the practical standpoint, insofar as valve operation is concerned, the two valves always move together.

The main valve and pilot valve, whenmoved to valve open position, may be releasably maintained in such position by any suitable means, here shown as consisting of the two members of a permanent magnet couple, consisting of coopcrating mated permanent magnet and keeper members. One of the members of this couple is mounted to be movable with the main valve, while the other may also be movable but is here shown as stationary. Either member of the couple may be the one associated to move with the valve. In the form shown the magnet 40 is associated to move with the valve, by being secured to the rod 36 by the same nut 360. which secures the valve thereto. This permanent magnet 40 may be an Alnico or other equivalent magnet having high magnetic flux. The cooperating mate or keeper for the magnet is indicated at 4|. It consists of a disc of iron rigidl and immovably mounted in a recess of the valve body, which of course is made of brass or other non-magnetic material.

The operation of the control mechanism described is as follows:

Fig. 1 illustrates the parts in the inoperative or off position. The main and pilot valves are both closed. The magnet is spaced a material distance from the keeper. The inner end 42 of the rod or stem 36 is spaced from the end of the push rod I5. The parts are held in this position under the influence of the compression springs 3|, 38, which are expanded to their maximum.

To setthe burner in operation the operator applies a thumb to the reset cap 30 and pushes it in or to the right in Fig. 1 moving the parts to the position shown in Fig. 2. This motion is limited by engagement of the end 42 of the stem 36 with the end of the push rod l5. In this position the main valve 24 and seat member 25 have been moved to the'right, but without motion relative to each other, so that the main valve remains closed, The pilot valve is open, because the annular channel member 39 now registers with the passage 22. While holding the reset button advanced, the pilot flame is ignited. This applies heat to the thermostat l2, expanding thecopper tube thereof and permitting the inner rod l4 and the push rod l5 to move to the right in Fig. 2. Continued pressure of the thumb on the reset button causes the rod 36 to follow such movement until finally the permanent magnet comes into actual contact with the keeper. The magnetic flux between the magnet and its keeper is so strong now that upon release of the reset button, the valve 24 is maintained in open position, but the seat 25 and reset button retire by motion to the left in Fig. 2, until the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 3.

In this position the main valve is now wide open and gas flows from the supply chamber H to the chamber 28 within member 25 and thence by way of ports 21 to the discharge chamber "3 and by way of pipe l9 to the burner, where the gas stream is ignited, by the flame of the pilot burner.

If, at any time, the flames are extinguished as by a momentary heavy reduction in the gas supply, or as the result of a back draft, or for any other'reason, the thermostat l2 immediately cools. The copper tube thereof contracts, with the result of moving the push rod l5 to the left in the drawings, thus forcibly separating the members of the magnet couple, the magnet moving to the left. As soon as the magnet is actuall separated from its keeper, the spring 38 becomes effective and moves the stem 36 and all parts carried thereby, including the main and pilot valves, to the left, or to their original off positions, shown in Fig. 1. This operation closes both valves so that the supply of gas is entirely cut off, safeguarding the heater against the possibility of explosion or the like, and requirin another starting operation to put the device into operative condition, in the manner before described.

In this valve mechanism the main valve seats 4 in the direction of flow of the gas to the main burner from the supply chamber I! to the discharge chamber l8, or in a direction opposite to that of advance movement of the valve and seat to the valve maintaining position. The valve itself is housed within the supply chamber, and the seat member is movably guided within the usual cross wall of the valve body, but forms no part thereof. All of the valve and seat parts, including as well the magnet, the reset button and the springs, are capable of assembly as a single self-contained unit, capable of assembly on the bench and insertable into the valve casing by the simple act of screwing in the thimble 32. This thimble may have its external surface of noncircular say hexagonal shape, as shown, enabling it to be readily removed for purposes of repair,

adjustment or replacement of parts.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What we claim is:

1. In combination, a hollow valve casing provided with fuel supply and discharge chambers, cooperating valve and seat devices both movably mounted in said casing and adapted in different relative positions to prevent or permit fuel flow from the supply to the discharge chamber, said devices being normally biased toward flow preventing relation with each other, reset means for advancing said devices while in flow preventingrelation to a cocked position, a magnet couple including'cooperating relatively movable mated permanent magnet and keeper members, one of said members being stationary and the other being movable and operatively associated with one of said devices for movement therewith, and thermally responsive means sensitive to the presence of heat produced by fuel flowing past said valve and including abutment means limiting advance reset motion of said movable member to a position close to but out of contact with its mate, said thermally responsive means being of such form and construction that when it is heated said abutment retires in the direction of advance movement of said reset means and permits said movable member to be further advanced into holding contact with its mate.

2. In combination, a hollow valve casing pro,- vided with fuel supply and discharge chambers, cooperating main valve and seat devices both movably mounted in said casing and adapted in different relative positions to prevent or permit fuel flow from the supply to the discharge chamber, said devices being normally biased toward flow preventing relation with each other, reset means for advancing said devices while in flow preventing relation to a cocked position, a magnet couple including cooperating relatively movable mated permanent magnet and keeper members, one of said membersbeing stationary and the other being movable and operatively associated with one of said devices for movement therewith, a pilot valve movable with said movable member,

and thermally responsive means sensitive to the presence of heat produced by fuel flowing past said pilot valve and including abutment means limiting advance reset motion of said movable member to a position close to but out of contact with its mate, said thermally responsive means being of such form and construction that when it is heated said abutment retires in the direction of advance movement of said reset means and permits said movable member to be further advanced into holding contact with its mate.

3. Valve mechanism of the character described, comprising a hollow valve casing having fuel supply and discharge chambers, cooperating valve and seat devices both movably mounted in said casing and arranged by their relative positions to control fuel flow from the supply to the discharge chamber, a magnet couple comprising cooperating permanent magnet and keeper members one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable and is operatively associated with one of said devices for movement therewith, reset means for simultaneously advancing said movable member and said devices while the latter are'in valve closed relation with each other, stop means for limiting such advance motion to a position in which said members are close to but out of contact with each other, condition responsive means for causing said stop means to retire in the direction of advance movement of the reset means and thereby permit said movable member to be further advanced into contact with its mate,

whereby, upon release of the reset means said one device is held in its advance position, and means biasing the other of said devices toward retracted position.

4. Thermostatic valve control mechanism of the character described, comprising valve means including cooperating valve and seat devices, both of which are movable, thermally responsive means sensitive to heat produced by fuel flowing past said valve means, a magnet couple including cooperating mated permanent magnet and keeper members one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable, biasing means tending to retract said'movable couplemember and said valve and seat devices, reset means for advancing said devices while engaged in valve closed position and said movable couple member to a position in which said member is close to but out of contact with its mate, said thermally responsive means when cold limiting advance of the movab'e couple member and being efiective when heated by the fuel to permit further advance of the movable couple member into contact with its mate, whereby upon reduction in its temperature said thermally res onsive means applies force to the movable coup member to separate it from its mate.

-5. Controlvalve mechanism of the character described, comprising a hollow valve body having fuel supply and discharge chambers, a magnet couple including mated permanent magnet and keeper members one of which is fixedly mounted in the supply chamber and the other of which is movable, valve means controlling fuel flow from the supply to the discharge chamber, said valve means including a valve movable with the movable member and a chambered valve seat member cooperating therewith and having a chamber communicatin through the'valve opening with the supply chamber and also communicating with the discharge chamber, biasing means tending to retract the valve seat member to valve open position, and reset means for advancing the valve and valve seat members inv closed relation and with them the movable couple member into operating position with the members of the magnet couple in holding contact.

6. Control valve mechanism of the character described, comprising a hollow valve body having fuel supply and discharge chambers, a magnet couple including mated permanent magnet and keeper members one of which is fixedly mounted in the supply chamber and the other of which is movable, valve means controlling fuel flow from the supply to the discharge chamber, said valve means including a valve movable with the movable member and a chambered valve seat member cooperating therewith and having a chamber communicating through the valve opening with the supply chamber, and also communicating with the discharge chamber, biasing means tending to retract the valve seat member to valve open position, reset means for advancing the valve and valve seat members while in closed relation and with them the movable couple member'into operating position with the members of the magnet couple in holding contact, and thermally responsive means sensitive to flame produced by fuel flowing past the valve and adapted when the flame is extinguished to apply pressure-to the movable couple member to both forcibly separate it from its mate and initiate valve closing movement. 1

7. In combination, main and pilot valves each including valve and seatmembers, the two valve members being connectedand being biased. to move together toward valve closed position, one seat member being stationary and the other movable, anda magnet couple including cooperating mated permanent magnet and keeper members one of which is connected to said valve members to move therewith and the other of which is stationary.

8. In combination, main and pilot valveseach including valve and seat members, the two valve members being connected and being biased to move together toward valve closed position, one seat member being stationary and the other movable and biased toward a retracted position, a magnet couple including cooperating mated permanent magnet and keeper members one-of which is connected to said valve members to move therewith and the other of which is stationary, reset means for advancing the two valve members and themovable seat member, and thermally responsive means sensitive to flame produced by fuel flowing past said pilot valve and operatively associated with the movable couple member for preventing or permitting holding contact thereof REFERENCES CITED with its mate, dependent upon the temperature to The following r f rences are Of record in th which said thermally responsive means is subfile Of this P nt! iected- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS THOMAS F. VAN DENBERG. Number m Date JOHN SELBY. ,0 13 Hamilton Sept. 10, 1935 2,214,375 jJackson Sept. 10, 1940 

